So get in a room with myself to figure it out is just what I did. I thought long and hard about what the difference between my life now and two years ago when I reached my weight loss goal. Here is what I realized in looking at the last six months of my life:
- Living healthy and keeping the weight off was no longer my priority. I was too busy to maintain a consistent workout schedule. Yes I workout, but if the opportunity arises and something else "comes up" - I'm more than happy to cross off my plans to workout.
- I discovered a new restaurant in Mishawaka, "Fiesta Tapitia" which is a relative to my favorite "Fiesta Mexicana" in Plymouth. They have the same menu..... AND they serve Mountain Dew. Can you say, "Kiss of death?"
- I discovered I am addicted to Mexican food. I used to just be addicted to Hacienda, but now I'm addicted to the two "Fiesta's" as well. I was eating Mexican food three times a week. At 1000 calories per basket of chips and salsa, it's no wonder the scale has been inching upwards.
- I started to turn to food for comfort instead of God. Yep, I am a comfort eater to the core. If things get tough, this girl goes to the fridge. I had truly gotten a hold of this "habit" for the past three years. I'm not happy to report I've lost my hold as of late.
- Laziness. Lazy mind. Lazy body. Lazy heart.
Now I wanted to keep my discoveries to myself... just a little while longer.... but thanks to my dear husband who cares FAR too much about me to let me go back down the bath of misery - I had to share them outloud. And we know what that means... A-C-C-O-U-N-T-A-B-I-L-I-T-Y!!! Yep, I STILL need it after all of these years.
My husband in all of his wisdom said to me after listening to my "discoveries" - "Well, what's your plan?"
Plan? I hadn't gotten THAT far. Geesh, I just got in a room alone with myself. Baby steps for heaven's sake.
Again he said, "What's your plan?"
I could see he was not laying off.
So together we made a plan. I've learned over the years that a plan must be realistic or failure will be lurking. So for me, I had to break it down. I choose to focus on two changes in the next 30 days to help form the habits that have and will again lead to success.
For the next 30 days, I will do two things:
- I will get back to my previous (and successful) eating habits on my lunch hour. That means I will not eat Mexican at lunch. I will not eat out a fancy restaurant every day for lunch. I will choose to eat lighter and healthier a minimum of three days for lunch and eat at my "favorite" spots no more than two days. Yes, lunch tends to be a problem for me. If only I could be like my husband and eat the same thing for lunch every day... tuna fish sandwich, Sunchips, a banana and a granola bar. Someone shoot me right now.
- I will work out four days a week. I will put a calendar on the fridge and plot out for the next 30 days, four workouts a week. I will also be ready for Plan B and Plan C should things come up that thwart my original workout plans. Anything less than four is unacceptable.
Friends, I'm sorry if this blog has disappointed you. You're not alone, I am disappointed in myself as well. I will tell you that I am not giving up. I WILL be free again!!
5 comments:
Girl, you are AMAZING! Remember, your body, your weight, your size, has only as much control in your life as you allow it to have. I totally agree with you that a plan needs to be in action. I will join you for 30 days. I don't know what my plan will be, but I will email it to you by tomorrow. We will be accountability for each other!! As you are 10lbs over, so am I. And mine has been there for about 2 years now! It's ridiculous! Don't let the scale rule your life. Make life changes, just like you did in the beginning. I still tell my WW members your story so they see the power of changing a lifestyle instead of being legalistic about a number. You have done a great job Tara. Remember, YOU ARE WORTH IT!!! It took a long time to let 10lbs creep up there, so it may take a while to get it off. Again, don't let this rule your life. I truly believe that Satan will use this against you if your focus gets to be too legalistic. Let's both keep our eyes on God and on healthier living. Thanks for challenging me, my friend. I needed it. Thanks for being real. I needed it. Thanks for loving me! I needed it! You rock sister! Let's do this!!! -shannon
Way to break it down and think it through Tara! You are so matter of fact and pragmatic about your diet. It helps me to hear your approach and plan. Good luck friend. You've got my support! -Andrea Cook
You are AWESOME, even miles and miles and miles away from me you continue to encourage me!! Of anyone, you are the one I want to disappoint the least. You have walked beside me and helped me experience the sweet fre...edom I have experienced for the past few years!! I always hear your words, "YOU ARE WORTH IT" and they help so much! Thank you for coming along side me for this challenge. It helps so much and I will definitely help you be accountable to. You CAN and WILL get this 10 lbs off. You help people every day accomplish their weight loss goals. I know that this can also be tricky and at times could be a stumbling block for your own weight loss efforts. I understand this fully!! So remember to keep yourself high on your priority list. The more at peace you are with your body weight, the more God can use you to help others!! I will be praying that neither of us become legalistic in an attempt to reach our goals. I want FREEDOM for both of us. I want us to feel good about ourselves so we can help others be free as well. I love you so much!!!
Thanks Andrea! I totally appreciate your support. I have to break things down and get to the root of the things that are tripping me up! I am looking forward to this 30 day challenge. Thanks for your encouragement!
Ok Tara you know that I am always good for a couple of my musings. First, you know that I am more impressed with you than just about anyone else I know. You are the reason that I was able to shed 40 lbs. You are the queen of accountability. You always know the right thing that someone needs to hear at the right time to motivate them to change. No, not always what they want to hear. It is always at the right time though. Second, you know that along with how much I admire and respect you, that I always got your back too! Part of having your back is making eating habits a priority for myself again too. I will be back listing all of food rations daily. I feel this is truly the only way for us to know what we are consuming in a day. I also need your help again. I am not at my goal weight of being under 200lbs. I got to 213 and felt better and chose to not make it the priority it once was. I have creeped up 3 lbs to 217. So today after reading your blog I changed myfitnesspal to reflect the new caloric intake I am allowed to reach my goal. I know that once we both make it a priority and make each other accountable that we will reach our goals. I need your help though. I have a ton of travel coming up which makes it more difficult. Last thing I will say for today. NO MORE MEXICAN FOOD!!!!!!!!!!
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